Method and means for fold adjustment in a buckle chute folding machine



R. E. SCHMECK METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 23, 1970 Filed May 18, 1967 m? A I 1* SQ lg Q g Y w \J g ATTORNEY June 23, 1970 R. E. SCHMECK 3,515,655

METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT E. SCHMECK ATTORNEY June 23, 1970 R. E. SCHMECK 3,515,655

METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE I CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ROBERT E" SCHMECK BY f ZTTORNEY INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 23, 1970 R. E. SCHMECK METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ROBERT E. SCHMECK June 23, 1970 R. E. SCHMECK METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE -7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18, 1967 ROBERT E. SCHMECK zaw ATTORNEY June 23, 1970 R. E. SCHMECK 3,516,655

METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1967 7 Sheets-Shoot 6 ;;il L

INVENTOR ROBERT E. SCHMECK Wm a M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,516,655 METHOD AND MEANS FOR FOLD ADJUSTMENT IN A BUCKLE CHUTE FOLDING MACHINE Robert E. Schmeck, Riverside, Conn., assignor to Pimey- Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Dela- Ware Filed May 18, 1967, Ser. No. 639,410 Int. Cl. B65h 45/14 US. Cl. 27068 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This patent specification relates to machines adapted to automatically fold sheets in the general manner disclosed in US. Pats. 3,178,171, 3,150,871 and 2,766,569. The invention is concerned with improved means for facilitating the setting of the buckle chute stops to obtain desired fold lengths.

This invention relates to a method and means for adjusting the buckle-chute settings in a machine for folding flat sheets of paper to obtain desired folds. It more particularly relates to a simplified adjustment method and means for setting the buckle chute stops directly from a sheet of the desired fold without intermediate measurement ste s.

ll lachines for folding flat sheets of paper for oflice use are well known in the art. One such type of machine generally operates by passing the sheet of paper through a system of conveying rollers into a series of buckle chutes, one told being made in the paper at each buckle chute. For letters, and the like, it is generally sufiicient to make two folds proportioned to facilitate insertion into envelopes. Thus most ofiice type folding machines have two buckle chutes. Such buckle chutes may be curved or flat as shown for example in US. Pat. Nos. 2,766,040 to W. 1. Hanson et al. or 2,766,569 to J. A. Strother et al.

The positions of the folds on the sheet of paper depend on how far the sheet enters the buckle chutes. This in turn is governed by moveable stops built into the buckle chutes. The stops are located so as to allow the sheet to enter the buckle chutes far enough to make the fold at the desired points. In prior art machines, the buckle chutes have been provided with indicator scales which are calibrated, e.g. in inches and fractions thereof, to indicate the point at which the stops should be set on the buckle chutes to achieve desired fold lengths. This type of arrangement has at least one important disadvantage. In order to properly set the movable stops, the operator must first take a sample sheet (for example one folded by hand) and measure the length of each fold, usually by means of a hand ruler or by means of a scale that forms part of or is provided as an accessory to the machine. Knowing the length of each fold, the operator can then set each buckle stop to a position which according to its indicator scale will give the desired fold length. The need for having to actually measure the length of each fold in order to properly set the buckle stops is time consuming and inconvenient. Moreover, it is easy to make an error in setting the stops by incorrectly measuring the length of the fold, misreading the indicator scales or setting the wrong stop.

Accordingly the object of this invention is to provide new and improved indicator means for use in properly setting the buckle chute stops.

A further object is to provide new and improved means for indicating the setting of buckle chute stops.

Still another object is to provide new and improved means for facilitating adjustment of the buckle chute stops to obtain desired fold lengths.

3,516,655 Patented June 23, 1970 A more specific object is to provide in a sheet folding machine new and improved indicator means permitting adjustment of buckle chute stops directly from a specimen folded sheet.

These and other objects of the invention which are rendered obvious by the following detailed specification are achieved by providing in a sheet folding machine having a planar buckle chute with a moveable stop assembly that is adapted to move back and forth along the buckle chute, the combination of a stationary scale that extends parallel to the path of movement of the stop assembly and an indicator that is attached to and moves with the stop assembly, the indicator being arranged so that when it is aligned with the fold line of a sheet held against the scale, the stop assembly will be in position to produce a fold of the desired length. The illustrated embodiment consists of two similar planar buckle chutes located one above the other and a separate indicator and scale arrangement for each chute. To set the buckle chutes so that two folds will be made in each fed sheet, the operator holds a sample folded sheet against the scale associated with one chute, moves the stop assembly of the one chute until its indicator member is aligned with one fold line, then holds it against the scale associated with the second chute so that said one fold line is located at a predetermined reference point, and moves the stop assembly of the second chute until the second indicator member is aligned with the second fold line. The machine is then set to make similar folds in each sheet that it processes. In the illustrated embodiment the buckle chute stop assemblies may be adjusted in one of two ways, by directly moving the indicator members or by separate stop setting means.

The drawings illustrating the invention as hereinafter described are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet folding machine embodying two buckle chutes constructed and disposed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of the same machine;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the same machine;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, showing the disposition of the two buckle chutes;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line 55 in FIG. 4 showing details of the two buckle chutes and the feeding and folding rolls assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the two buckle chutes;

FIG. 7 is taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5 and is a bottom plan view of the upper buckle chute;

FIG. 8 is taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 5 and is a top plan view of the lower buckle chute;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 99 in FIG. 6 showing how the front ends of the two buckle chutes are detachably supported; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views, taken along lines 10--10 and 1111 in FIG. 8, showing how the uncoilable spring means are connected to the sheet stop assembly in force-balancing relation to each other.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a folding machine corresponding generally to the folding machine disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application of Thomas J. Gavaghan, Ser. No. 716,044, filed Mar. 26, 1968, for Sheet Folding Machine. The machine illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 comprises a feed table assembly 2, a feeding and folding roll section 4, a buckle chute section 6 and a delivery unit 8. The end where the buckle chute section is disposed is considered to be the rear end of the machine and the opposite end where the delivery unit is located is the front end. As explained in greater detail hereafter, the machine is provided with two buckle chutes for making two folds in each sheet of paper as it moves forward from the feed unit through the folding unit to the delivery unit. However, adjustable deflector means are provided whereby either of the two buckle chutes may be isolated so that only one fold is made in each sheet.

The housing of the machine comprises a number of structural members, some of which are omitted to facilitate illustration of more significant aspects of the apparatus and others of which are illustrated but not referred to specifically in order to facilitate description of the invention. The main structural members of the housing are formed of sheet metal stock and include among others vertical side walls 12 and 14 (see FIGS. l4), a rear horizontal floor member 16, a rear vertical wall 18, and a front auxiliary bottom floor member 24. Bolted to the auxiliary bottom floor member 24 at its opposite sides are two vertical plates 26A (FIG. 2) and 26B (FIG. 3). The upper ends of these plates are held in parallel spaced relationship with each other by a tie rod 28 (FIG. 2). These plates rotatably support various transversely extending operating members such as the feeding and folding rolls, etc. hereinafter described. These side plates as well as side wall 14 are covered by removeable guards or covers 30 and 32 (see FIG. 1) which conceal the drive train (not shown) for the operating members. The drive train is powered by an electric motor 34 (FIG. 2) that is mounted on floor member 16 and is rendered operative by an on-off switch 38 mounted at the front end of the machine. Although not shown, it is to be understood that switch 38 and motor 34 are connected electrically and that the power circuit for the motor includes a flexible line cord adapted to be plugged into a power outlet.

As shown in FIGS. 13, the feed table assembly 2 comprises a downwardly and forwardly inclined feed table 40 that is mounted on the two side plates 26 and is provided with laterally adjustable paper guide rails 42. Except to the extent described below, a more detailed description of the feed table assembly is not believed to be necessary since its specific construction is not critical to the invention. The forward end of the feed table assembly carries a retarder roll 46 that is positioned adjacent to a main feed roll 48 that forms part of feeding and folding roll section 4. Such retarder-feed roll combinations are well known in the art and are employed as in the present case to fan out a pile of sheets on the feed table so that successive sheets can be fed one at a time by the main feed roll. The fanning or separation of the sheets is due to the fact that the curved surface of the retarder roll is offset rearwardly relative to the periphery of the main feed roll.

In addition to the main feed roll 48, the feeding and folding roll section 4 comprises a plurality of cooperating feeding and folding rolls 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58, a fixed paper guide member 60, a pair of parallel buckle chutes 62 and 64 and a pair of moveable deflector members 66 and 68. The feeding and folding rolls 52, 54 and 56 are located in a common vertical plane just forward of the axis of rotation of the main feed roll 48. The feeding and folding roll 58 is located just behind roll 54 with the axes of both rolls lying in a common horizontal plane. The drive train (not shown) that couples motor 34 to the operating mechanism of the machine includes intermediate gearing (not shown) arranged so that (as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5) rolls 48, and 54 rotate counterclockwise and rolls 52, 56 and 68 rotate clockwise. The rolls are driven at appropriate surface speeds. The fixed paper guide member 60 extends between and is secured to the two side plates 26. It is slotted to accommodate roll 50 and is formed so as to extend around the front of roll 52, with its upper rear edge almost engaging main feed roll 48 and its lower rear edge almost engaging roll 4 54. As a result guide member 60 directs sheets delivered by main feed roll 48 and rolls 50 and 52 around roll 52 into the nip between rolls 52 and 54.

The two buckle chutes 62 and 64 are located one above the other, with chute 62 located behind roll 52 and chute 64 located behind roll 56. The two deflector members 66 and 68 are located just in front of chutes 62 and 64 respectively. These deflector members extend between the two side plates 26. The opposite ends of deflector 66 are provided with ears 72 (one of which is shown in FIG. 5) that are secured to stub shafts 74 which are rotatably mounted in side plates 26. The opposite ends of deflector 68 are provided with like ears 76 that are secured to like stub shafts 78 which also are rotatably mounted in side plates 26. Attached to one of the stub shafts 74 is a handle 80 (FIG. 3) that is used by the operator to rotate deflector 66. A like handle 82 is attached to one of the stub shafts 78 for the same purpose. If the machine is to perform two folding operations per sheet, the deflector members are positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, with the leading edge of deflectors 66 and 68 almost touching rolls 52 and 58. When so positioned the deflectors will direct fed sheets into the two buckle chutes and prevent them from wrapping themselves around rolls 52 and 58. When it is desired to isolate or immobolize chute 62, handle 80 is moved so that the leading edge of the deflector 66 points down toward roll 58 and its trailing edge (the rear edge as shown in FIG. 5) points toward and almost touches roll 52. When it is desired to isolate chute 64, handle 82 is moved so that the leading edge of deflector 68 points toward roll 56 and its trailing edge (the bottom edge as shown in FIG. 5) points toward and is closely spaced from roll 58. In this connection it is to be noted that the deflectors are almost arcuate in cross-section so as to facilitate deflection of fed sheets when the deflectors are in chute-isolating position. When deflector 66 is pivoted to its chute-isolating position, it deflects sheets fed by rolls 52 and 54 away from chute 62 and down into the nip formed by rolls 54 and 58. When deflector 68 is in chute-isolating position it deflects sheets fed by rolls 54 and 58 away from chute 64 forward in the nip formed by rolls 54 and 56.

Further details of the buckle chutes and how they coact with rolls 5258 to effect folding of sheets are described below. At this point it is pertinent to note that the folded sheets are delivered by rolls 54 and 56 to sheet delivery unit 8. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the latter comprises a sheet metal plate whose sides 92 and 94 interlock with and are supported by tie rods 96 and 98 that extend between side plates 26. Rotatably secured to plate 90 at its front and rear ends are two rotatable shafts 100 and 102, each of which carries a plurality of pulleys 104 on which are mounted a like plurality of conveyer belts 106. The rear shaft 102 is coupled to and driven by the gear train (not shown) that drives rolls 48 and 52-58. The direction of movement of shaft 102 is clockwise as seen in FIG. 2 so that the upper runs of belts 106 move forwardly away from rolls 54 and 56. The sheet delivery unit also includes a pair of guide members 110 that are hinged at their upper ends to a wire rod support member 112. The rear surfaces 114 of guides 110 are inclined rearwardly. Accordingly as each folded sheet is delivered by rolls 54 and 56 it engages and is directed downward by the rear surfaces 114 onto the belts 106 which carry it beneath guides 110 to the operator or to a receiving hopper (not shown) or to some other machine such as an envelope stulfer.

Except for the indicator means of the present invention designed to facilitate setting the stops, the two buckle chutes 62 and 64 embody the novel construction disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application of Mario J. Marin for Sheet Folding Apparatus, filed on even date herewith. The two buckle chutes 62 and 64 are substantially the same but differ in length. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 47, the upper buckle chute comprises two plates 118 and 120. The left-hand edge of plate 118 is straight and is formed with a vertically extending wall 122. At its right-hand side plate 118 is cut back for a short distance and this cut-back portion is formed with a short vertically depending side wall 124. Along the rest of its right-hand edge plate 118 is formed with a depending flange 126 that is not exactly vertical but is inclined slightly as shown in FIG. 6. The lower plate 120 is slightly smaller in width and is formed at its left-hand side with a vertically depending wall 128 having a right angle flange 130 at its bottom edge. The right hand side of plate 120 has a like vertically depending wall 132 with a similar flange 134. The two plates are secured in parallel relation to each other by a pair of rotatable shafts 136 and 138. The opposite ends of the front shaft 136 extend through aligned holes formed in side walls 128 and 132' of plate 120 and side walls 122 and 124 of plate 118. The ends of the shaft are fitted with snap type retainer rings as shown at 140 to prevent it from moving axially. The opposite ends of shaft 138 also extend through the aligned holes in side walls 128 and 132. One end of shaft 138 also extends through a hole in side wall 122 of plate 118, but the other end extends through a hole formed in a bracket 142 welded to the underside of plate 118. Snap type retainer rings 144 are attached to the ends of shaft 138 to prevent axial movement.

The front end of plate 118 has a slight downward bend as shown at 148 (see FIG. The corresponding end of plate 120 is bent at about the same angle but extends beyond the front end of plate 118 by a substantial amount as shown at 150 in FIG. 5. These bent forward ends define an entrance opening whereby sheets fed by rolls 52 and 54 may enter the space between plates 118 and 120. Disposed in this space is a stop assembly comprising a bar 154 whose length is slightly less than the distance between side walls 122 and 124 of plate 118. Also forming part of the stop assembly is a second bar 168 located in front of bar 154. Bar 168 is shorter than bar 154. These two bars are pivotally secured to each other at approximately their midpoints, the pivotal connection between the two bars comprising overlapping ears 158 and 172 formed integral with bars 154 and 168 respectively, a pivot pin 162 and a nut 180 holding the pivot pin in place. The pivot pin passes through aligned holes formed in the two overlapping ears. The two bars are also coupled together by a second connection. This second connection comprises a second pair of overlapping ears 156 and 170 formed integral with bars 154 and 168 respectively, a cam slot 160 formed in ear 156, a rotatable threaded pin 186 extending through a hole in ear 170 and also through the cam slot 160, a cam 184 aflixed to the pin and positioned in the cam slot 160, and means such as a nut 1-88 holding the cam pin in place. The pin may be provided with a slot to accept a screw driver bit so that it can be turned or alternatively it may be provided with a suitable knob such as shown at 190. The cam and the slot in which it is positioned are shaped so that when the cam is rotated 360 it will cause bar 168 to pivot first clockwise and then counterclockwise relative to bar 154, which bar 168 reversing direction just short of engaging the ends of bar 154. Thus bar 168 can pivot about its pivot point but only under the influence of cam 184. Once the cam has been positioned as desired, it acts to prevent movement of bar 168 about its pivot point.

Bar 168 is formed at its leading edge with a plurality of like sheet stop members 192 whose front ends have a Vshaped groove 194 (see FIG. 5) for receiving the leading edges of sheets to be folded. In this connection it is to be noted that plate 118 is formed with a series of parallel slots 164 that extend at right angles to shafts 136 and 138 and plate 120 is formed with a like number of parallel slots 166 each of which is aligned with one of the slots 164. Each of the sheet stop members is 6 aligned with a pair of slots 164 and 166 and protrudes slightly into each of the slots with which it is aligned.

Still referring to FIGS. 5-7, the stop assembly is p0si tioned by a dual balanced spring mechanism comprising four Negator springs 196, 198, 200 and 202. Negator springs, well known in the art, are flat coiled springs that provide a substantially constant spring load regardless of amount of extension. Springs 196 and 198 are wound about hubs 204 and 206 that are aflixed to shaft 138 adjacent its opposite ends. Spring 196 extends along and just above flange 130, passes about pulley 210 mounted on shaft 136 and is connected to one end of bar 154 as shown at 214. Spring 198 follows a similar path, passing above flange 134, around a pulley 212 and then back to bar 154 where it is secured at 216. Springs 200 and 202 are wound on hubs 218- and 220 respectively mounted on shaft 138. These springs are wound oppositely to springs 196 and 198 and extend between plates 118 and where they are connected to bar 154 as shown at 224 and 226 respectively. The end slots 166 in plate 120 are made wider than the other slots of the same series so as to allow the means connecting the springs 200 and 202 to bar 154 to move back and forth unimpeded. With this arrangement springs 196 and 198 opposite springs 200 and 202 so that their forces are effectively balanced. Hence in the absence of applied overriding force, the four springs tend to hold the stop assembly stationary. The stop assembly may be moved toward or away from the en trance opening of buckle chute 62 by means of a large thumb wheel 230 attached to shaft 138. A resilient pawl 234 attached to plate 120 engages teeth 236 formed in the periphery of thumb wheel 230. The pawl acting in concert with teeth 236 provides a detent action which restrains the thumb wheel against movement until it is rotated by the operator.

The buckle chute 62 is atached to the machine by a releasable connection. This releasable connection includes in part a pair of brackets 238 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) that are attached to side walls 12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 9 each of these brackets has a slot 240 that extends downwardly and forwardly from its top edge and is just wide enough to accommodate the end of shaft 136 located at the front end of the buckle chute. The rear end of the buckle chute is supported on a horizontal extension 242 of the rear wall which carries two studs 246 whose heads are slightly elevated and tapered as shown. The rear end of plate 120 of the buckle chute is offset so as to provide a horizontal flange 250 having a hole for each of the studs 246. These holes are just large enough to accommodate the heads of studs 246 so that the latter can hold the buckle chute in place. The brackets 238 and the studs 246 are located so as to position the chutes front end next to deflector member 66 as illustrated. Removal of the buckle chute is effected by lifting its rear end clear of studs 246 and pulling it upwardly and rearwardly until the ends of shaft 136 have cleared slots 240.

Because the bottom buckle chute 64 is similar in construction to chute 62, the following description thereof is somewhat less detailed than the description of buckle chute 62. Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the bottom buckle chute comprises a slotted lower plate 252 and a slotted upper plate 254. The right-hand edge of plate 252 is formed with an upstanding vertical wall 256. Formed integral with the top of wall 256 and extending lengthwise for a substantial portion is a horizontally extending flange 258. The right-hand edge of the latter has a depending flange 260 that is inclined at about the same angle as flange 126 of the upper buckle chute. The left-hand edge of plate 252 is formed with an upstanding vertical Wall 262. With respect to the upper plate 254, its left-hand side is formed with an upstanding vertical wall 264 having a right angle flange 266 at its top edge. The right-hand side of upper plate 254 has a vertical wall 268 with a similar flange 270. These two plates are secured in parallel relation with each other by a pair of rotatable shafts 272 and 274. The ends of these shafts extend through aligned holes formed in the side walls of plates 252 and 254 and are fitted with snap type retainer rings as shown at 276 (FIG. 8) to prevent them from moving axially. The front end of lower plate 252 has a slight upward bend as shown at 280 (see FIG. while the corresponding end of upper plate 254 is bent at about the same angle but does not extend as far as the front end of plate 252. The bent ends of the plates 252 and 254 define an entrance opening whereby sheets fed by rolls 54 and 58 may enter the space between the two plates. Disposed in the space between the two plates is a stop assembly comprising a bar 286 corresponding to bar 154 of the upper buckle chute and a second bar 300 corresponding to the car 168 of the upper buckle chute. These bars are pivotally secured together at 302 in a manner similar to the pivotal connection between bars 154 and 168 of the upper buckle chute. Additionally the two bars are coupled together by a cam arrangement as shown at 304 which is similar to the cam arrangement coupling together the two bars of the upper buckle chute assembly. More specifically it includes a rotatable pin 305 fitted with a cam 306 identical to cam 184. The head of cam pin 305 is fitted with a knob 307 similar to knob 109 to facilitate turning the cam.

Plates 252 and 254 of buckle chute 64 are provided with a plurality of slots 308 and 310 respectively extending lengthwise thereof. These slots are sufficiently wide to accommodate the sheet stop members 312 on the leading edge of bar 300. It is to be understood that the sheet stop members 312 are identical to stop members 192 described above.

The dual balanced spring assembly for the lower buckle chute comprises four Negator springs 320, 322, 324 and 326. Springs 320 and 322 are wound on hubs 328 and 330 attached to shaft 274 near its ends. These springs pas-s about pulleys 332 and 334 mounted on shaft 272 and are connected to the ends of bar 286 as shown at 336 and 338 respectively. Springs 324 and 326 are wound on hubs 340 and 342 respectively aflixed to shaft 274. These springs are wound opposite to springs 320 and 322. They extend between plates 252 and 254 and are connected to bar 286 as shown at 346 and 348 respectively. The second buckle chute further includes a thumb wheel 350 aflixed to shaft 274. A resilient pawl 352 afiixed to plate 254 coacts with teeth 354 formed in the periphery of wheel 350 to prevent the latter from rotating freely.

Buckle chute 64 is detachably connected to the machine in essentially the same manner as chute 62. A second pair of brackets 356 somewhat similar to brackets 238 are attached to side wall 12 and 14 in position to receive the ends of shaft 272; and the rear end of plate 252 is provided with a pair of holes positioned to receive a pair of studs 358 whose heads are tapered to make a snap fit with plate 252. These studs are supported by a horizontally extending bracket 360 formed by bending out sections of the machines side walls 12 and 14. Brackets 356 have like slots 363 which are shaped as shown to limit vertical and forward movement of shaft 272. Removal of the buckle chute 64 is effected by lifting its rear end upwardly clear of studs 358 and then pulling it rearwardly until its shaft 272 is clear of the brackets 356.

It is believed obvious that the two buckle chutes can be inserted or removed without dismantling any other part of the machine. The lower chute is inserted first and removed last. Furthermore the two thumb wheels may be operated to move the two stop assemblies without removing either of the two buckle chutes.

To the extent described above the machine, and particularly the two buckle chutes 62 and 64, are constructed in accordance with the invention described and claimed in the aforementioned co-pending application of Mario J. Marin.

However, the machine further includes indicator means constructed in accordance with the present invention for facilitating setting of the two stop assemblies.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8, the inclined flange 126 at the right edge of plate 118 of the upper buckle chute is provided with a scale 370 graduated according to the British or metric systems. In the embodiment specifically illustrated the scale 370' is graduated in inches and fractions thereof. A second scale 372 similar to but shorter than scale 370 is provided on flange 260 of plate 252 of the lower buckle chute. It is to be noted that both of these scales are visible to the operator when the two buckle chutes are disposed in the machine in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Associated with scale 370 and 372 are two elongated slots 374 and 376 formed in a member 373 attached to side plate 26B. Cover plate 30 is recessed to accommodate member 373. These slots are aligned with the scales and their end surfaces 378 and 380 are located so as to serve as reference points for scales 370 and 372 respectively as described below. Cooperating with these scales are two indicator members 382 and 384 respectively. Indicator member 382 is attached to and movable with bar 154 while indicator member 384 is attached to and movable with bar 286. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the indicator member 382 is offset so as to extend beneath the end of inclined flange 126 and its free end is provided with an upstanding pointer 386. The other indicator member 384 is similarly offset so as to extend over the flange 258 of plate 252. The free end of the indicator member 384 is formed with a similar pointer member 388 which extends downward alongside inclined flange 260. The positions of pointers 386 and 388 relative to the scales 370 and 372 indicate the length of the folds that will be made on the sheet by the two buckle chutes as a result of the particular settings of their respective stop assemblies. The pointers 386 and 388 also serve a second function in addition to indicating the lengths of the folds to be made by the two buckle chutes-they serve as handles for moving the two stop assemblies. The balanced dual spring constructions and the direct rigid connections of the indicator members and bars 154 and 286 enables the two stop assemblies to be moved merely by grasping and moving the pointers. Thus the stop assemblies for the two buckle chutes may :be manipulated in one of two ways, either by rotating thumb wheels 230 and 350 or by moving the two indicator members 382 and 384.

Operation of the machine will now be described. Assume that a supply of sheets are to be folded twice in overlapping style with the lengths of the folds corresponding to those previously made in a specimen sheet. At this point the operator has the option of setting the two stop assemblies in one of two ways. The first Way involves measuring the lengths of the folds with a ruler and then positioning the two stop assemblies, either by rotaing the thumb wheels or by moving the two indicator members, until the pointers 386 and 388 point to graduations on scales 370 and 372 respectively corresponding to the lengths of the desired folds. This procedure is essentially the same as the procedure required to be followed in using prior art devices. The second procedure is new with the present invention and is simplier in that the folded specimen sheet is used as a gauge to directly set the buckle chute stops. The operator unfolds the specimen sheet and then, without measuring the fold lengths, positions one side edge of the sheet along scale 370 so that one of its end edges engages surface 378. Then the operator adjusts the stop assembly for the upper buckle chute (by using thumb wheel 230 or indicator 382) until pointer 386 is even with the first fold line, i.e. the fold line on sheet S nearest to the reference surface 378. Then the operator folds the sheet along the first fold line, positions the sheet so that the edge formed by folding along the first fold line engages the reference surface 380, and moves the stop assembly for the lower buckle chute until its pointer 388 is even with the second fold line, i.e. the fold line now nearest to the reference surface 380. With the buckle chute stop assemblies properly positioned and a supply of sheets in feed tray 2, switch 38 is closed to energize motor 34. Immediately feed roll 48 commences feeding sheets one at a time from the feed tray. Each sheet in turn passes between rolls 50 and 52 and then between rolls 52 and 54. The latter pair of rolls delivers the sheet into the buckle chute 62. The leading edge of the sheet will stop when it engages the stop members 192 and then will buckle as its trailing end continues to be propelled. The buckled portion of the sheet will pass between rolls 54 and 58 where it is folded fiat. This folded portion then passes into buckle chute 64 and stops when it engages stop members 312, whereupon its trailing section will buckle under the driving force of rolls 54 and 58. This newly buckled portion will then pass between rolls 54 and 56 where it will be folded fiat. The fully folded sheets fall onto conveyor belts 106 which deliver them to the operator or to some associated piece of equipment.

It is to be appreciated that, as with prior art machines, the folds may be of the overlapping or accordian type, depending upon the settings of the buckle chute stop assemblies. Thus, for example, suppose that a sheet is to be folded in thirds with the folds being of the overlapping type. To achieve this, the stop assemblies for the upper and lower buckle chutes would be set so that the distance between stop members 192 and the nip of rolls 54 and 58 would be approximately the same as the distance between stop members 312 and the nip of rolls 54 and 56. On the other hand, to fold the same sheet in thirds but with accordian type fold, the stop assembly for the upper buckle chute would be moved rearwardly until the length between its stop members 192 and the nip of rolls 54 and 58 was approximately twice the distance between stop members 312 of the lower stop assembly and the nip of rolls 54 and 56. To effect a simple fold, i.e., to fold each sheet in .half, the stop assembly for the upper buckle chute is set so that each sheet will buckle and be folded halfway between its ends, and deflector member 68 is repositioned so that as each sheet passes out from between rolls 54 and 58 it is deflected directly into the nip of rolls 54 and 56.

It is believed to be apparent that the technique described above for setting the stop assemblies using a specimen folded sheet as a gauge does not require the presence of scales 370 and 372, since the positions of pointers 386 and 388 relative to the surfaces 378 and 380 that serve as their reference points, correspond to the operative distances between the chute stops and the points at which sheets are folded in the machine.

The invention involves still another feature that facilitates setting the buckle chute stops for symmetrical folding of letter size sheets (i.e., a sheet having a length of 11 inches) or sheets with a length of 14 inches. The term symmetrical folding means that in the case of overlapping and accordian-type folding the sheet is folded twice into three sections of substantially equal length while in the case of the single folding operation the sheet is folded in half. As seen best in FIG. 3 the inclined flange 126 at the right side of the upper buckle chute is provided with three reference marks identified by different symbols 390, 392 and 394, located above scale 370 at predetermined spaced positions. The symbol 390 is generally triangular in shape and represents a sheet with two overlapping type folds; symbol 392 is in the form of a V rotated 90 from its normal orientation and represents a sheet folded in half; and symbol 394 is in the form of a reverse Z and represents a sheet with accordian type folds. A second set of reference marks, identified by symbols identical to symbols 390, 392 and 394, is provided on flange 126 directly below scale 370. It is to be noted that the lower reference marks are further apart than the upper reference marks. With respect to the lower buckle chute, a single reference mark, identified by symbols identical to symbols 390 and 394, is provided directly above scale 372. Another reference mark also identified by symbols like 390 and 394, is located below scale 372. The upper reference marks associated with the two scales indicate the different positions occupied by pointers 386 and 388 when the upper and lower stop assemblies are positioned for symmetrically folding letter size sheets, i.e., sheets having a length of 11 inches, while the lower reference marks indicate the different positions occupied by pointers 386 and 388 when the stop assemblies are positioned for symmetrically folding sheets with a length of 14 inches. Of course, these reference marks and their associated symbols facilitate setting the stop assemblies only where the sheets have a length of 11 or 14 inches and symmetrical folding is desired. For sheets of other lengths or if non-symmetric folding is desired, the operator will employ the new paper gauge technique described above.

It is believed to be apparent that the invention abovedescribed and illustrated offers a number of advantages. Attachment of indicator members 382 and 384 to the buckle chute stop assemblies is easily accomplished and involves no changes in the construction or mode of operation of the stop assemblies. On the other hand, the indicating means provided by the present invention makes it possible for the operator to accurately and quickly set the buckle chute stop assemblies without first having to measure the length of each fold to be made.

It is to be noted that although the present invention is described and illustrated as part of a machine embodying the specific buckle chute invention described and illustrated in the co-pending application of Mario J. Marin cited above, the invention also is applicable to other buckle chute arrangements of the planar type, i.e. buckle chutes where the stop assemblies are reciprocally moveable along a straight line path rather than around a curved path in the manner of the stop assemblies in US. Pat. No. 2,589,436.

Accordingly it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts specifically described or illustrated, and that within the scope of the appended claims it may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described or illustrated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sheet folding machine having sheet feeding means, and a buckle chute with an adjustable foldcontrolling stop assembly, said chute comprising a pair of planar plates defining a space therebetween having an entrance opening for sheets fed by said sheet feeding means, said fold-controlling stop assembly being at least partially disposed in said space and moveable toward and away from said entrance opening, the improvement comprising means for indicating using a given fold of a prefolded sheet as a gauge when said stop assembly is positioned so that the length of the fold to be made in a fed sheet by said buckle chute is the same as that of said given fold, said means including a surface against which said sheet may be placed providing a reference point for one end of said given fold, and

an indicator member coupled to said stop assembly and Enoveable therewith toward and away from said surace,

said indicator member disposed so that when a predetermined portion thereof is even with the opposite end of said given fold the distance between said predetermined portion and said surface corresponds to the operative distance between said stop as sembly and the point-of-fold of a sheet disposed in said buckle chute to a depth determined by said stop assembly.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said indicator member is adapted to function as a handle whereby the operator may move said stop assembly.

3. In a sheet folding machine having a plurality of sheet feeding and folding rolls and a buckle chute comprising (1) a pair of spaced flat plates defining a space therebetween with an entrance opening at one end for fed sheets and also an elongate Opening along one side, and (2) a fold controlling sheet stop assembly at least partially disposed in said space between said plates and moveable along a predetermined path toward and away from said entrance opening, the improvement comprisa scale mounted on the exterior of said buckle chute, said scale located along said one side and extending parallel to said predetermined path,

an indicator member exterior of said buckle chute, means connecting said indicator member to said stop assembly through said elongate opening so that said indicator member and stop assembly move as a unit, sadi indicator member disposed so as to move back and forth along said scale with back and forth movement of said stop assembly, and,

means exterior of and separate from said buckle chute defining a reference point for said scale located so that, with a prefolded sheet positioned outside of said buckle chute next to said scale with one edge thereof coinciding with said reference point, the location of a selected fold line thereof with respect to said scale corresponds to the location of said indicator member when said stop assembly is properly located to reproduce said selected fold line in sheets transported through said machine via said buckle chute.

4. The combination of claim 3 further including:

a second buckle chute having a construction similar to that of said first mentioned buckle chute and disposed so as to receive and fold sheets delivered thereto from said first-mentioned buckle chute,

a second scale mounted on the exterior of said second buckle chute parallel to said first-mentioned scale,

a second indicator member coupled to the stop assembly of said second buckle chute and moveable back and forth along said second scale with back and forth movement of the stop assembly of said second buckle chute, and

means exterior of and separate from said second buckle chute defining a second reference point for said second scale located so that the distance between said second reference point and said second indicator is equal to the length of the fold to be made in each fed sheet by the coaction of said second buckle chute and said rolls.

5. Method of setting the buckle chute stop assemblies of a sheet-folding machine having two buckle chutes each with its own stop assembly and position indicator, whereby said machine will produce two folds in each sheet processed thereby, said method comprising the steps of unfolding a prefolded sheet and positioning it outside of said chutes so that one edge coincides with a first reference point located in a predetermined position with respect to and exterior of one of said buckle chutes, moving the stop assembly of said one buckle chute until its position indicator is aligned with the fold line of said sheet that is nearest to said first reference point, repositioning said sheet outside of said chutes so that said nearest fold line coincides with a second reference point located in a predetermined position with respect to and exterior of the other buckle chute, and moving the stop assembly of said other buckle chute until its position indicator is aligned with the other fold line of said sheet.

6. In a sheet folding machine having a plurality of sheet feeding and folding rolls, a pair of side panels concealing the ends of said folding rollers, and a buckle chute comprising (1) a pair of plates defining a space therebetween having an entrance opening at one end of said plates for sheets fed thereto by said rolls, and (2) a fold-controlling sheet stop assembly at least partially disposed in said space and moveable along a straight line path toward and away from said entrance opening, the improvement comprising:

an indicator member at one side edge of said buckle chute,

means coupling said indicator member to said stop assembly so that said indicator member and stop assembly move as a unit, and

means on one of said side panels providing a reference point for said indicator member located so that the distance between said reference point and said indicator member is indicative of the length of the folds to be made in fed sheets by coaction of said buckle chute and said rolls as said sheets are transported through said machine by said rolls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,703,237 3/1955 Rouan et a1 27068 3,150,871 9/1964 Boblit et al 270-68 3,178,171 4/1965 Springer et a1. 270-68 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner P. V. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner 

